Yury Shapovalov wanted to show the world that the handicapped are "normal, useful members of society".


Instead, Shapovalov, 45, proved how ordinary people, in extraordinary situations, can call on vast reserves of inner strength -- inspirational to all people.


Shapovalov is in the midst of a 10, 000-kilometer wheelchair odyssey from Vladivostok to St. Petersburg. He is accompanied by Alexander Sukhan, 28, and Yevgeny Kolychkov, 26. The three ride an average of 220 to 240 kilometers a day.


The group stopped off in Moscow to to receive from President Boris Yeltsin three red-ribboned medals-of courage, the highest honor awarded today in the Russian Federation.


"This is a great event in the sports life of Russia", Yeltsin said in a sitting room in the Great Kremlin Palace.


"I'm proud of your bravery and courage. You challenged yourselves in the human spirit and provide a huge example and hope for invalids and healthy people", he added.


During Wednesday's ceremony, Yeltsin announced that he had signed three decrees to improve the rights of Russia's disabled, of whom only 17 percent now work.


"If we try to follow the example of other civilized countries, the handicapped can play an active role in life", Yeltsin said, adding that special programs must begin to make Russian buildings and public transportation accessible to the disabled.


"I'd like to show all people that we are normal and that we can be useful", said Shapovalov, a music teacher from Samara, on the Volga, who lost the use of his legs eight years ago.


"Under Russian law, some invalids do not have the right to work, but we proved that we can work and we have this right", he added. "I think Yeltsin learned something from our tour".


The sportsmen are breaking from their odyssey, which began in April, to go to New York on Friday for a meeting at the United Nations, which declared the 1990s the decade for the handicapped. The group will be back in Moscow on Oct. 15 and will continue their ride to St. Petersburg.


-- with Pyotr Yudin